Burke Jersey Number Issue Coming to a Head

[Bingo]

good summer topic I thought

in camp we should see what happens with Burke's jersey number issue (wasn't it under 34 or something?)

The Flames have always had to convert Jooris, Granlund and Ferland to lower numbers as they are all wearing their camp numbers.

Now they've added Frolik who likes 67 and they have Bennett as a likely day to day player who also has a camp number.

That's 5 guys and essentially no spots, and all forwards

Untouchable numbers ... 2, 9, 12, 14

Numbers available? 3, 10, 16, 20, 30, and then 33+

Seems to me this doesn't work without taking regular numbers away from guys like Shore, Wotherspoon, etc.

[Gaskal]

It was always a bullcrap policy from the get go.

[The Fonz]

I don't see it getting enforced. Burke shows a lot of respect to Treliving, and to the best of my knowledge, Treliving doesn't give a crap about jersey numbers.

To the best of my knowledge.

[Racki]

They have to open it up to at least 40. Bennett will look good in 39

[Kiran403]

Personally I think the numbers issue is overblown. All the talk about players putting themselves before the team because they want their own number is ridiculous. The players already have their last names on the back of the jersey so how is the selection of numbers any worse than that? I really hope Burke relaxes the rule and lets the players select their own numbers.

[AC]

Let Frolik and Bennett keep 67 and 93 (or Killer's 39!)

Heck, let Poirier, Granlund, and Ferly choose what they want too.

Though Hamilton will likely go back to 27, which was also Ferly's junior number.

[calumniate]

That would be sweet. I find it's easier to pick up the players when the numbers are all over the place. Pbp guys must have a hard time with it too

[Rick M.]

Players are an incredibly superstitious bunch. If a number they like is available, let them have it.

[Enoch Root]

I think the players should band together and demand that Burke gets a normal haircut before they agree to any number changes

[browna]

I'm sure they'll be some answers with how the roster progresses the rest of the summer, especially with all the forwards. Not a lock if Granlund or Jooris make the starting day roster out of camp; if not, they keep those high numbers, as an example. Then there's the question of Smid.

I know I am in the vast minority of the old school line of thinking, but I have no issue with the rules Burke has laid out (and Sutter had the same rules) around this. When he came in, I am sure there were a lot of ground rules that he established around the code and conduct of the team (most which we don't know), including this one. Seems petty to most, but in Burke's mind it is part of what sets the culture, the team aspect vs individual aspect, and discipline in one regard. And given the way that this team has responded over the past two seasons, that structure and those rules seem to be working overall.

I would rather have this then the pick your own number game, where teams like San Jose had 11 guys in a jersey number over 34 last year against the Flames.

[Vinny01]

Such a stupid policy

[indes]

The only numbers that matter are on the scoreboard

[Gaskal]

Oh look we'll give you real jersey numbers.

Sven - Traded
Smid - IR
Knight - Traded

Yeah working out great so far

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by browna

I'm sure they'll be some answers with how the roster progresses the rest of the summer, especially with all the forwards. Not a lock if Granlund or Jooris make the starting day roster out of camp; if not, they keep those high numbers, as an example. Then there's the question of Smid.

I know I am in the vast minority of the old school line of thinking, but I have no issue with the rules Burke has laid out (and Sutter had the same rules) around this. When he came in, I am sure there were a lot of ground rules that he established around the code and conduct of the team (most which we don't know), including this one. Seems petty to most, but in Burke's mind it is part of what sets the culture, the team aspect vs individual aspect, and discipline in one regard. And given the way that this team has responded over the past two seasons, that structure and those rules seem to be working overall.

I would rather have this then the pick your own number game, where teams like San Jose had 11 guys in a jersey number over 34 last year against the Flames.

So what? Why is it such a big deal that a player wears 43 vs 34? Who cares. Let them pick whatever number they want.

[868904]

I like 79 on Ferland. Didn't Hughson already coin him the "79 train"?

[Bingo]

I'm with browna, not a hill to die on for me, but I do like traditional numbers more than being all over the place.

under 40 is good

and for some reason double numbers (44, 55, 77) that are higher work too (contradictory I know)

but 65, 47, 59 etc all look silly to me. Not a big deal though.

[Hanna Sniper]

Don't see any issue with the numbers, nor have i heard any players

no reason to change

[Finger Cookin]

28 should be available too.

[GGG]

I kinda of like having numbers that mean you made the team. So reserving say 40-60 as camp numbers I like.

But this idea that numbers under 40 are hockey numbers and a player wanting 72 is an ego thing seems kinda ridiculous. I think a consistent policy is important. So a star like Bennett or Hamilton isnt given more sway in choosing a number then Jory's or Ferland.

But declaring some numbers non hockey numbers is dumb in my opinion.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by 868904

I like 79 on Ferland. Didn't Hughson already coin him the "79 train"?

Loved that.

"The 79 train from Brandon rolls in again"